Hazel the Hedgehog Blog Hop

Hello! If you are visiting today from the Hazel the Hedgehog Quilt Along blog hop welcome to Daydreams of Quilts. I am so happy to be here today as part of Angie at Gnome Angel's quilt along to show you a couple of projects you can make with Elizabeth Hartman's fantastic "Hazel the Hedgehog" patterns. (Hazel the Hedgehog and Hazel the Hedgehog II). I bought both patterns but my projects here are made with the Hazel the Hedgehog II pattern using the large Hazel block and the giant Hazel block.

I used the large Hazel block to make a 20 inch throw cushion. I have been waiting for the perfect project to use my yellow Geekly Glasses from the Geekly Chic line by Riley Blake and this was it!

The glasses! They go perfectly with the fabric! :) If you are using the smaller Hazels from the original pattern there is a free download for glasses that will fit those smaller blocks on Elizabeth's website. (Link in first paragraph.)

I used a newsprint collage for my background on the front from "Such Designs". For the back I used this script of menus from the 1800s called "Bon Appetit". The color matches the front background fabric perfectly and I like the juxtaposition between the modern newsprint and the antique script. (Confession... this is looking lumpy because I stuffed tea towels in the corners for the photo shoot. Gasp! I know! But my local Walmart only has 18" pillow forms and this is a 20" pillow... anyway, I digress.)

One last look at Hazel on my new Poang chair that my parents gave me for Christmas (from IKEA). I do love her!

Picture from Instagram of my 20" block ready for quilting.

Picture from Instagram of my giant block ready for quilting. (And my toes photo bombed this pic.)


I used the giant Hazel block to make a baby quilt for my new baby daughter (5 months old already!) How great is this? Sew one block and boom! You have a baby quilt!




Here is the Giant hazel hanging on her crib. I used Cotton + Steel arrows for the spikes. I had them all cut out and then the next day I saw that Angie did one of her hedgehogs this way too! Great minds think alike! I used Cotton + Steel pink Netorious from the Basics line for her face. I'm not sure of the name for her legs/body but it's not a Cotton + Steel print. I used Briar Rose by Heather Ross for the background because I thought one might actually find a hedgehog in a clover patch searching for clover flowers and crickets to eat.


Here you can see the quilt on a standard size crib mattress (sorry the lighting is not so great up in the bedroom).

This quilt was #12 on my Q1 Finish Along Goals List and I am linking it up with The 2015 Finish Along.


2015 FAL at On the Windy Side

I used coordinating Briar Rose prints for the binding and backing.

As far as tips for these projects I would say this: The pattern is very well written. If you follow it closely you will do fine. You absolutely must label your fabrics as you cut them. This will simplify things for you vastly. I would not attempt to sew this without labeling my cut pieces (A,B,C etc.) Also, the only part where I messed up was the last piece of spikes on the sides that also include her body. Pay close attention to the diagrams at that part and eliminate distractions.

There will be Prizes for linking up your Hazel quilts on the Gnome Angel blog at the end of the Quilt Along on February 27th so make sure you link up for a chance to win.

Here are all the dates for the bloggers on the blog hop in conjunction with the Hazel Hedgehog QAL.

KEY DATES WITH BLOGGERS

Friday 6 February – Interview with Elizabeth Hartman @ GnomeAngel.com
Monday 9 February – Fiona @ Bendigo Lioness
Wednesday 11 February – Anita @ Daydreams of Quilts
Friday 13 February – Raylee @ Sunflower Quilting
Monday 16 February – Brandy @ M3 Quilts
Wednesday 18 February – Melissa @ Ms Midge
Friday 20 February – Tara @ Simply Crafted
Monday 23 February – Cassie @ Cassandra Madge
Wednesday 25 February – Kate @ Stitched with Love
Friday 27 February – QAL Finishes with a Link Up @ GnomeAngel.com & Gotham Quilts
Here are the discount codes that are offered for the Quilt Along (copied from Angie's blog):

DISCOUNT CODES FOR PATTERN AND FABRICS

If you’re keen to get your hands on the Hazel Hedgehog pattern, the fabulous Elizabeth Hartman has given us a fabulous 25% off for those wanting to purchase the pattern. All you have to do is use the coupon codeHazelQAL25 at the checkout and you’ll save 25% off either (or both) Hazel Hedgehog patterns. Coupon code is valid until the end of February.
If you’d like to get some fabulous new fabrics to make your Hazel’s then I’ve also got some discount codes for you.
If you like to buy your fabrics in the US you can get 20% off at Gotham Quilts by using the code, HazelQAL, the code is valid until the end of February and cannot be used with gift certificates or sale items.
If you like to buy your fabrics in Australia you can get 20% off at Cotton Factory by using the code, Hazel20, at checkout. The code is valid until the end of March and cannot be used with gift certificates.
So I hope you join in the fun of this Quilt Along. It's a really great pattern and I highly recommend it. Thank you for visiting my blog today! Make sure you check out the Gnome Angel post for all the details, information and prizes.